Online information sessions: 24 June

This programme offers an intensive introduction to contemporary social anthropology.

It is primarily intended for graduates with little or no previous training in anthropology; these may be either students
contemplating future doctoral research in the subject or students who wish to acquire anthropological expertise to supplement their existing range of professional skills.

Whether your aim is to explore the possibilities of doctoral research or add anthropological expertise to your existing professional skills, this MSc offers an intensive introduction to social anthropology.

We provide a programme of study that will enable you to engage reflexively with the particularities of your own cultural and social context as well as with the possibilities inherent in cross-cultural comparison.

Working within a rich and active research culture, we shall explore the distinctive nature of social anthropology and its contribution to a critical and informed understanding of the contemporary world – a world reflected in the diversity of our students and the wide variety of our research/teaching interests.

Courses range from those offering an overview of theories and theorists to those examining specific issues such as kinship, gender, development and religion.

You will gain an advanced understanding of the distinctive nature of social anthropology and its contribution to a critical and informed understanding of the contemporary world. You will also develop an advanced understanding of theoretical and methodological debates within social anthropology.

Past students of this programme have gone on to doctoral research in anthropology, while others have been very successful in securing places both in the UK and overseas in a wide variety of careers, from journalism to working in non-governmental organisations.

You will also develop a range of highly transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.

International qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

For 2020 entry we accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 20 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

PTE Academic: total 67 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.0 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 20 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 169 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

*(Revised 21 February 2020 to remove PTE Academic from 2021 entry requirements. Revised 21 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition in 2020 and 2021 entry requirements.)

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

MSc Social Anthropology - 1 Year (Full-time)

MSc Social Anthropology - 2 Years (Part-time)

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.